Sarah McGiven2015-08-02T14:36:10-04:00Sarah McGivenhttp://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/index.php?author=sarah-mcgivenCopyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc.HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Sarah McGivenGood old fashioned elbow grease.A Few Fancy Father's Day Gift Ideastag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2015:/theblog//3.75903602015-06-17T19:00:00-04:002015-06-17T12:59:02-04:00Sarah McGivenhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-mcgiven/
My brothers and I are going in for my dad's gifts and this year I've decided not add on any freestyle element after a number of recent, let's just say 'Pinterest fails' in the DIY gift-giving department. Those sumptuous pictures of chocolate-coated strawberry towers may look beautifully simple but a) they're not, and b) try getting them to survive a cross-county cab journey...

Anyway, here are a few ideas for fancypants presents you can treat your old man to, to say thanks for all those free taxi rides, pearls of wisdom and interest-free loans.

PS. I hope you've all discovered the joys of Click + Collect - order from a number of retailers before 4pm, collect the next day from your choice of collection point - there are loads all across the UK. You can return stuff that way too - I just sent back some pieces I'd (over)ordered and it literally took 2 minutes in my local Budgens one evening. It's AWESOME.

These kinds of events crop up every so often but are usually evenings and after a long day at work the last thing I really feel like doing is standing at the end of a long line to get a few quid off a mascara - I did this once on my way to a birthday party and was holding a giant helium balloon which was 'an experience' (single people, if you find it hard meeting people, may I suggest loitering with a balloon. Most of the strangers who stopped to talk to me were nutters but you never know I guess...).

Seven Dials is holding their Spring Shopping Event on a far more sensible Saturday late afternoon. Not only that but it's one of my absolute favourite areas to shop. Not gonna lie, its proximity to the fabulous cocktails at Freud's, where I held my 20th birthday party back when it was a britpop hotspot, and the Gwynneth Paltrow-approved Covent Garden Hotel's Brasserie Max, both of which are taking part in the event, also has a great deal to do with it.

The range of stores in this super cute area is crazy - everything from the poshest naughty knickers at Coco de Mer, to fun accessories at my beloved Tatty Devine, and a whole world of arty potential that I could spend literally days exploring at the London Graphics Centre.

Of course there are a ton of fashion stores at a variety of price points too - Urban Outfitters, Adolfo Dominguez, etc - and some super hot shoe shops - Poste Mistress is a firm fav.

Haven't snapped up some adidas Superstars for the summer? Get them while the discount's good over at Size? or Offspring. Need to Spring clean your makeup look? Head on over to Benefit, Shu Uemura, or any of the other amazing beauty shops taking part in the event to stock up - this is literally one of my favourite things to do - that 20% off suddenly means adding that extra lippy or maybe trying that contouring kit is totally justified because you've done so well saving on the essentials...

I've just run out my supply of Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Serum, that blue dropper bottle of skin saving, mosturising, overnight wonder, so was excited to hear they're taking part too. Joining them is Magma, the awesome arty book store, which has recently opened its new flagship store in Shorts Gardens, which - as with Cath Kidston and Scribbler - provides a top window to pre-buy gifts for birthdays, weddings or, for the more forward-thinking amongst you, Christmas.

For the men there are some brilliant must-visits, including Fred Perry's super fancy Laurel Wreath Collection shop actually on Seven Dials by the roundabout (be warned, their sizes tend to come up a little snug when I've bought guys gifts from there so consider going one bigger), and the Carhartt Work in Progress store, as well as The Watch Shop and Happy Socks for the more accessory-focused.

Lastly - top tip - if, like me, you've been reading in the press recently about all the gross reasons why you need to replace your pillows and make sure your bed has a mattress protector, you might want to make a quick pit stop at Covent Garden's White Company store for discounted bed essentials. I bought our current crop of pillows from there and they're like proper hotel pillows. What more could you want?

You can find the full list of participants, which includes bars, restaurants, and even a dental spa, here.

Don't forget to visit the website to register for your free ticket first, which also entitles you to various freebies and gets you access to a host of other special events in the area. You can thank me later. Happy Drinking/Eating/Shopping!
The Seven Dials and St Martin's Courtyard 20% discount Spring Shopping Event in association with Elle and Esquire takes place on Saturday 9th May from 12 noon until 5pm. For more information and to register for your free ticket in order to claim discounts at the selected outlets taking part, visit sevendials.co.uk or stmartinscourtyard.co.uk]]>We Love You Cambridge Satchels - Nuts for New Peanuts Bagstag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2015:/theblog//3.67320042015-02-22T19:13:38-05:002015-04-24T05:59:01-04:00Sarah McGivenhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-mcgiven/The Cambridge Satchel Co Peanuts Collection.

Although Snoopy and co. first debuted as a comic strip in the 1950's, the 60's and 70's were the cartoon's heyday. In fact, Woodstock may have first popped up in the 1960s but he didn't actually get a name until 1970.

I recently went to an intimate launch at the brand's flagship Covent Garden store, to get up close with these fun pieces and meet the wonderful team behind it. Despite kindly receiving a slew of daily invitations to launches and events, as blogging isn't my full time job, I rarely attend any events but made sure I was free for this, given I'm a huge Peanuts fan - I'm talking Charlie Brown-themed front room, Snoopy T-shirts 'at my age' etc - who's also obsessed with her neon pink, embossed Cambridge Satchel Company satchel which I bought as soon as they came out and, despite being hugely fickle with my accessories, still use and love (and am frequently asked about by strangers who are similarly drawn to it's quirky Britishness).

The Cambridge Satchel Company have cleverly taken Peanuts' most recognisable motif, the signature Charlie Brown zig-zag, and worked it into an all-over print. This has been applied to a range of bag silhouettes from their classic satchels to the utterly adorable mini-satchels and, for the first time, pouches.

The range of vintage colours evoke a perfectly retro feel, whilst still being modern and I was generously gifted a red satchel which is still making me smile when I use it. There are a lot of other colours available too, including a glossy, rich teal and an adorable cornflower blue that are so chic, and the black on black is just perfection. There isn't a dud among the colour ways to be honest, and as a someone who never wears anything in any shade of brown, even the archetypal schoolbag-brown shade looked fantastic.

There are two particularly noteworthy details that are also worth a mention as, for me, they epitomise the love that this family business puts into everything they do. One is the addition of Woodstock riding the company's bike logo on each piece - have a look at the website for a close up to see it properly - and the other is a cute little addition inside each bag. But I'll leave it for you to discover that on your own as it's such a lovely surprise.

These snaps from the night and of the products as they appear on the website should give you an idea of what to expect but one thing that isn 't pictured here but which you can find on their website (although they are not available just yet) are dog collars! And, cat lovers do not fear, we haven't been forgotten - I asked and they will fit even the smallest dog which means you should be able to get one to fit your cat too. I'll be buying one for my little tiger so you can check out how it works out on my instagram as soon as they're available.

Cambridge Satchel Company x Peanuts Collection available now only from Cambridge Satchel Company stores and from their online shop at www.cambridgesatchel.com. Prices start from £70.]]>Weekend Shopping: American Eagle Outfitters Lands in Londontag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2014:/theblog//3.61490782014-11-14T19:00:00-05:002015-01-14T05:59:01-05:00Sarah McGivenhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-mcgiven/American Eagle Outfitters, heralded as 'America's favourite jeans brand' is opening its first UK outlets this month, starting this weekend with the launch of its flagship store at Westfield White City with brand ambassador and model, Daisy Lowe.

With affordable, all-American designs along the lines of early Abercrombie & Fitch-meets-GAP, I love the simplicity and often vintage feel to their easy to wear clothing. It's comfortably cool.

Whilst best known for their denim (of which there is LOADS), American Eagle has long been my go-to for college-style sweats (buy from the women's collection for a more fitted silhouette, or from the men's range for sloppier, boyfriend-style fits).

Also, its underwear label, Aerie, makes the best everyday knickers - sorry, 'Boybriefs' - I've found since Bonds, and they come in size range XXS-XXL. I adore both these particular lines as they are always made from a really great quality cotton that's comfy, soft and wears well - the sweatshirts look better the more you wear them. Random fact: they do great socks and underwear for guys too, which make fab stocking fillers.

I'm sure this relaxed, Stateside addition to the city's usual shopping mega-mall brand line-ups will be well received, and can't wait to see how the UK stores compare to the US locations. My fingers are crossed for the knickers above all being in stock - they do bulk buy discounts :)

American Eagle Outfitters opens its flagship store at Westfield White City on Friday 14th November, followed by stores at Westfield Stratford City on Monday 17th, and Bluewater in Kent on Wednesday 19th November.]]>Cool for Kidstag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2014:/theblog//3.61362242014-11-11T19:00:00-05:002015-01-11T05:59:01-05:00Sarah McGivenhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-mcgiven/
These three adult brands - Black Score, Jack Spade and Kate Spade New York (the latter two thanks to a new collaboration with GAP KIDS) - do brilliant clothing for children that means those of you who like to mini me with your kids can do so without looking weird. Well. Less weird, anyway.

Black Score
In the same was as there are some kids who can tell you everything about every footballer who plays for their favourite team or sing along word-perfect to every song by Taylor Swift, there are also fashion kids with blogs, instagrams and vlogs who know their Pixar from their Prada. There are also just kids who couldn't care less about clothes but like cute animals. Enter Black Score whose handmade, hand-illustrated basics reference fashion and pop culture in a fun way that kids and their parents can both appreciate. Oh how I wish they did that top left 'Chanail' sweatshirt in adult sizes... (NB. they do do the other one as a T-shirt). Available in ages 2-12 years although babygros are also available. Prices from around £25-£38.

GAP KIDS x Kate Spade New York
Taking Kate Spade New York's signature quirky uptown girl style and translating it into little girls clothing has worked really well. Cutesy bow and polka dot prints are adorably pretty and the girly styles are very much like that of their womenswear. I take slight exception to the amount of pink involved but I guess that's what a lot of little girls are into so hey ho. My absolute favourite thing about this collection is the accessories and I am beyond gutted that these christmas bow ballerina shoes don't come in adult sizes. I'm totally getting that striped bear-ears phone case and the gift bow headband though (which also comes in other colours) - headaches be damned. Do check out the candy striped tights too, also sadly only in kids sizes. Prices from £12.95 - £74.95.

GAP KIDS x Kate Spade New York collaboration collection is available from selected GAP KIDS stores and from www.gap.co.uk

GAP KIDS x Jack Spade
For me, the boy's collection is definitely stronger than the girls collection and any mothers looking for non-pink options for their little girls should definitely take a look at this. The camo designs in particular seem totally unisex and very, very cool. I love that there are matching pencil cases and backpacks - luggage is something the Jack Spade menswear brand is, quite rightly, well known for - and the goggly eyes shirts and hi-tops are too cute. The tech accessories are another standout, particularly the burger iPad cover pictured above. Prices from £12.95 - £89.95

GAP KIDS x Jack Spade collaboration collection is available from selected GAP KIDS stores and from www.gap.co.uk]]>Colourful Autumn Collections for Men and Womentag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2014:/theblog//3.60902502014-11-03T19:00:00-05:002015-01-03T05:59:01-05:00Sarah McGivenhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-mcgiven/
The following collections - some for women, some for men, some for both - are extreme examples of how you can introduce a bit of colour into your outfits this season.

If you absolutely will not be parted from your darker styles, why not try wearing them with a pair of amazing, colourful kicks like these Mary Katrantzou x adidas Originals designs? Or add a pop of pink or teal with pieces from Finchittida Finch's latest jewellery collection?

For the guys, grab a bit of Jonathan Saunders' fabulously fun collection for British menswear institution, Lyle & Scott. Or if that's just too much, you can't go wrong with some Happy Socks - or even some happy pants now they've released their debut underwear line.

You can also find more examples of cheery colourful finds on my instagram @sarahmcgiven

Adidas Originals by Mary Katrantzou

This is a little preview as the hotly anticipated capsule collection doesn't actually drop until November 15th. Fash pack fav and Queen of Print, Mary Katrantzou has produced a range of innovative apparel and footwear for adidas Originals that fuses her iconic use of hyper-color and kaleidoscopic patterns with athletic sneaker-style inspirations.

Unlike previous designer and celebrity adidas Originals collaborations, which have served mostly to reinterpret existing adidas Originals designs with new prints or embellishments, Mary Katrantzou has produced a particularly fashion forward collection. Whilst the inspirations and technical fabrics may scream sportswear, the clothing silhouettes and cuts are entirely more high end. This is a collection that people with absolutely no interest in sport and every interest in fashion will love just as much as adidas aficionados.

The vivid colours and artful print combinations are an utter joy throughout and I can't think of a better outfit to make you look forward to Monday morning more than the incredible 'go faster' A-line mini dress with the lacing print, pictured above (bottom row, far right). Colourful and cute without being childish or costumey. LOVE.

adidas Originals by Mary Katrantzou drops 15 November at www.adidas.com and various other retailers.

Lyle & Scott x Jonathan Saunders

Top of the colour pops this Autumn is Jonathan Saunders' premium capsule collection for menswear mainstays Lyle & Scott. The heritage Scottish brand, which is celebrating its 140 year anniversary, got top Glaswegian designer Jonathan Saunders on board to provide these fun styles for Fall.

Known for his impeccable use of colour, Saunders turned his signature style into cheerful, bold, graphic designs that are gloriously fresh and upbeat. Taking the brand's golfing past and translating it into present day pops of pattern and colour, the collection features one-colour, colour-blocked and cheekily pattern-clashing styles across knitwear, footwear and shirting.

These would make the coolest Christmas jumpers around so snap them up now, and look forward to more to come from this perfect partnership. Prices from £70-£265.

For the first time, London-based design duo Finchittida Finch have introduced colour into their third collection, The Empress. Featuring stunning statement pieces like crowns and ornate body harnesses, as well as wearable every day styles, including chokers, bracelets and earrings in a range of sizes, their sophisticated jewellery is made more fun through their use of perspex.

The collection, which has already been spotted on tastemaker FKA twigs and Eliza Doolittle, is also helping to raise money for charity, in line with the brand's core values, or as they put it: "We believe in having a positive impact with our brand - helping social inequalities, environmental issues and spreading peace & love. Because kindness is sexy as hell."

Tida and Lisa Finch, the twin sisters behind the brand, have partnered with the humanitarian charity MAG (Mines Advisory Group) for this collection, so that 10% of every purchase helps to clear bombs from conflicted areas around the world. MAG carries out extensive work in Laos, where the Finch sisters' mother is from, due to it being the most bombed country in history, making the charity particularly poignant to them. Prices from around £35 to £525.

Happy Socks, the go-to brand for those cheery, eye-boggling designs that peek from beneath the trousers of hipsters and city types alike, was founded in 2008 and has since sold over 12 million pairs of socks.

They launched their first underwear collections for men and women, featuring similarly jazzy, colourful patterns, in August to coincide with National Underwear Day, and also do a number of accessories from handkerchiefs to notebooks.

For those who are less comfortable with grand displays of colour, Happy Socks - whether socks and a matching pocket square, or hidden bright boxers - are a great first step. They also do really cute gift boxes so make great presents for people who could do with a burst of brightness in their lives. Prices from around £8 although they also have an outlet on their site.

Happy Socks designs are available from Selfridges, Urban Outfitters and www.happysocks.com]]>Weekend Shopping Essentials: Rubber Rain Bootstag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2014:/theblog//3.60906162014-11-02T17:21:21-05:002015-01-02T05:59:01-05:00Sarah McGivenhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-mcgiven/
One thing I decided was an absolute essential in my life was a pair of short rubber boots. Something lightweight that would repel rain and provide enough grip to stop me from slipping even on the soggiest of London streets. In the space of three days I saw three separate people fall over in the rain and this properly gave me the fear. I went online on the bus home and starting scouting rain boots. I wasn't entirely sure what I was after at first other than something stylish that wasn't quite wellies as they're too cumbersome, but something just as effective in the rain.

Given they are synonymous with wet weather attire these days, I started off on the Hunter website and found some absolutely amazing heeled ankle boots with good, grippy soles. The high heel styles were astounding and made me wish for less-flat feet. Fallen arches in mind, I browsed on and found the fabulous short Hunter Original Short Chelsea boots with neon soles pictured here and in the round-up below, which I subsequently purchased.

I wore them home from work the day they arrived and then wore them four out of the next five days. With jeans, trousers, tights - whatever, these cute little booties are just the best. They're super comfy, I've had no blisters or discomfort of any kind, and - more importantly - I haven't fallen over once despite sheet rain and a total lack of balance on my part. I've just found that there's a whole bunch of matching accessories too with hats, gloves and an awesome scuba backpack *excited face*

Next on my list are the new Converse rubber Chuck Taylors which were released the day after my Hunters arrived. The iconic baseball boots are now available in rubber and a range of colours - so even welly-phobes can keep their feet dry without compromising on personal style.

If you're looking for sensible footwear that's also stylish, have a look at my little round-up below.

Hunter Boot short rain boots
Short in height but strong on style, these bright boots had me at 'neon sole'. They come in a whole range of colours - the yellow short rubber Chelsea Boots, top left, are the ones I got (£80).Available from www.hunterboots.com the new Hunter flagship store on London's Regent Street, and various other retailers

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Rubber Baseball Boots
Such a great idea. Avoid wet feet without losing that inimitable Converse style with these rubber Chucks. These rain-resistant baseball boots come in a range of colours which all have a fleecy lining for extra comfort and warmth.Available from Office stores and at www.office.co.uk, priced £59.99

AM/PM Hyaluronic Infusion by pH Advantage
I first started using products based around hyaluronic acid in 2003 when I discovered plastic surgeon, Dr. Barry Cohen's pH Advantage line in the States. I had turned up in NYC with a completely empty suitcase and my first stop after JFK was to midtown to meet my friend whose apartment I was staying at. Her office was by Herald Square so, after checking in with her, I cheekily dropped my suitcase off in Macy's handy Left Luggage, then did a three-stop emergency dash to pick up all the essentials (Old Navy - Duane Reade - Sephora).

One of the super helpful shop assistants in Sephora saw my parched post-flight skin and suggested I try some products from the pH Advantage line. They gave me a bunch of testers to take home along with my other purchases and I loved them so much I went back a couple of days later and bought some. My skin started to look like I'd been drinking lots of water and getting lots of sleep, despite not doing either of those things.

When I got back from that trip - which, to give you some context, involved a music festival in a monsoon at the Giants Stadium, being filmed (totally randomly) by MTV whilst partying in Jamaica, Queens, and being driven home from a club by a taxi driver who had one foot on the dashboard the whole way... - I still remember how funny it was that everyone commented on how refreshed and healthy I looked. I put it squarely down to my new skincare routine.

For years after I couldn't find it anywhere but have mercifully recently discovered that pH Advantage is stocked both online and at Beyond MediSpa which is based in Harvey Nichols' London and Edinburgh locations.

In particular, I swear by their AM/PM Hyaluronic Infusion which is for dry, dehydrated or mature skin and contains medical grade ingredients, including the maximum amount of hyaluronic acid you're allowed without a prescription (45%). I use 1-2 pumps morning and night. The solution is watery so goes on easily and absorbs quickly into the skin - and one bottle tends to last me around 4-6 months.

Hyaluronic Eye Cream by Mario Badescu
I hate using eye cream. I always get it in my actual eye instead of just around the eye area which HURTS. And I've also had a lot of eye cream dramas - one product actually gave me burns - so I've incredibly picky as to what I use in this sensitive area.

If I can't find something I like, I just won't use one but I decided recently that I'm probably too old to get away with that now so I hunted down my all time favourite - Mario Badescu's Hyaluronic Eye Cream. The main reason I love this cream is because I know it works.

One evening some friends and I inexplicably ended up at a plastic surgery expo. As they sought out the bar, I stumbled across a stand offering something called a 'skin scan'.

An established skin clinic was offering free facial scans that would tell you about the true state of your skin, particularly in relation to sun damage. I figured it would be worth a go so stuck my head in the machine, which then filled with blue light (UV, I'm guessing).

As I opened my eyes, there was my reflection staring back at me. But it was different. Instead of my skin having its standard northern pallor - the shade kindly known as 'porcelain' in makeup terminology - it was varying shades of blue, with two big white rings around my eyes like an inverse panda.

The clinician carrying out the scan told me that the dark blue areas that were around my forehead, nose and also formed a beard shape were badly sun damaged, and that the lighter blue areas were less severely damaged areas, whilst the white areas - purely around my eyes - were healthy skin. Puzzled, the clinician said it was incredibly odd to find such badly damaged areas next to such healthy areas and asked about my skincare routine.

I explained the products I used on my face, including the Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream and she immediately said "Aaah, that explains it - hyaluronic acid is known to help repair the skin and reverse the signs of sun damage". No word of a lie, I went home that night and smothered that eye cream all over my face. Absolutely piled it on.

I've never had another skin scan since, or a second opinion on the first one, so I don't know if that's true, or if my continued use of the eye cream and the additional boost of the pH Advantage serum detailed above, has made any difference to the existing damage. What I do know is that I don't have any wrinkles under my eyes yet despite a lifetime of screwing my face up, wrinkling my nose at things and squinting at screens, so I'm happy.

Hyaluronic Eye Cream by Mario Badescu, £17.95 is available from www.beautybay.com (free shipping) and from www.mariobadescu.com]]>Getcha Street Ontag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2014:/theblog//3.56043022014-07-28T19:00:00-04:002014-09-27T05:59:06-04:00Sarah McGivenhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-mcgiven/
London is well known as one of the street style capitals of the world - a place where what the cool kids in 'creative' (basically, poorer) areas from Hackney to Peckham are wearing influences international designers. Their raw looks get interpreted into catwalk designs, then make their way through the fashion chain, eventually filtering back down all the way to the high street. But many other cities all over the world influence the process too, notably New York, Tokyo and Copenhagen.

These three collections take street influences, from classic 90s hip hop style, Kawaii and the gritty London realness that is the Tube, and turn them into super cool, easy to wear, edgy fashion for men and women, that references London, New York and Tokyo style.

Roundel
I HATE the stinking tube, especially in Summer, but I adore its history and iconography, and it's these visual associations with the London Underground that Roundel draws on for its brilliant unisex designs. The latest collection runs from sweats to shirts, jackets and tees, and now some incredible accessories, including a rucksack I really, really recommend you check out for yourselves, I saw it at their press day and was totally bowled over by the gorgeous colours and quality, it's genuinely fantastic (in case you can't get to the store, take a peek at this snap I took). Everything has that easy, edgy London feel and interprets everyday London imagery in a way that's understated, cool and never touristy.

Available in store from Dover Street Market at 17-18 Dover Street, London W1S 4LT and online at www.oki-ni.com

New Era Heritage Series: Spike Lee 1996 Collection
This is so cool - whilst, according to himself, it was Jay Z who made the cap 'more famous than a Yankee can', I had no idea that the iconic New York Yankees baseball cap only started to come in colours other than the team's signature dark navy blue thanks to film director and Yankees fanatic, Spike Lee. Apparently Lee called up Chris Koch, the CEO of New Era - the heritage sports and lifestyle brand, and absolute kings of authentic baseball style - and asked for a scarlet red Yankees cap. Koch obtained special permission and produced a number of the caps in other colours, including green, yellow, and orange.

New Era have teamed up with Spike Lee to bring out this latest 1996 Collection as part of their on-going Heritage Series, and it includes some super cool leather versions of the ultimate NY accessory. You can see Spike Lee talk about the cultural significance of baseball in this video that accompanies the release.

McQ Manga Collaboration with Yoshiyasu Tamura
For its AW14 menswear and womenswear collections, McQ collaborated with Japanese artist, Yoshiyasu Tamura on artwork taken from a fictional manga comic book series. Inspired by Japanese youth culture, the prints reimagine SS14's Angry Bunny as a samurai doing battle on the streets of Tokyo. The energetic sketches appear both as patchwork (a luxe, infinitely more tasteful take on the early 90s cartoon jeans that I've been spotting hipster kids wearing again recently) as well as an all-over print. Meant to convey both 'the DIY feel and the spirit of youthful rebellion' found elsewhere in the collections, I love the fun Manga stylings that are slightly too sinister to tap into the Kawaii trend but definitely work for a wider audience. Also, Angry Bunny aside, this conjures up memories of the legendary a-Ha video for 'Take on Me', which is never a bad thing.

Released this August and available from McQ stores and www.alexandermcqueen.com/gb/mcq]]>Try the Tassel Trendtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2014:/theblog//3.56043002014-07-22T19:00:00-04:002014-09-21T05:59:06-04:00Sarah McGivenhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-mcgiven/
It's a bold High Summer look that's currently populating high street stores and designer boutiques alike, particularly in the form of holiday kimonos, but choose your weapons wisely and the pieces you pick up now will see you through next season too. Fringed kiltie shoes and sandals are where it's at right now with tassel loafers everywhere for winter.

Designers including Stella McCartney and Michael Kors showed fashion forward variations on this decorative trim trend in both their clothing and accessories lines for AW14. Interestingly each designer aligned their interpretations of fringed fashion with their heritage. So, whilst Kors went for a luxurious, laid-back western feel, using soft suedes and knits for a tactile chic that was gloriously American, McCartney's signature slick-yet-slouchy, super cool London look gave us what I'm pretty sure will be one of the most knocked-off items of next season - the oversized tassel knit sweater - along with sexily draped fringed dresses that make you want to shimmy and you just know will be AMAZING for dancing in.

There are some particularly special luxe-looking bohemian bags coming through that will instantly update a look, as well as great bag charms and jewellery for a more subtle acknowledgement. M&S have some fantastic tassel necklaces and clothing due out in October for a reasonable, high street rendering of this trend which can work for any age, although I've noticed plenty of amazing fringed bargains in the sales right now so see what you can pick up for a song now, safe in the knowledge you'll be wearing it all winter too.

So whether you're out to rest or play, here's a bunch of fun stuff to make your sports more stylish and your sleep easier.

Frescobol Carioca
This wonderful Brazilian brand brings a little bit of South American flavour to Britain with chic, retro sports equipment and beautiful beach wear from Rio. They do teeny tiny bikinis, linen shirts, panama hats - everything the well dressed holiday maker would need - but I particularly love the eye-popping prints of their menswear, and especially the gorgeous hand finished wooden surf accessories and artisan beach bats sets which make fantastic gifts.

Not going to lie, I rarely wear a watch, can only swim on my back, and have a complete fish phobia so dive computers are not exactly my area of expertise. That said, since my other half took up diving, it's opened up a whole other world of accessories that does pique my interest, especially when they're as swish as this. I came across Suunto whilst looking for a birthday present (ssshhh, don't tell him) and was really impressed with how cool their dive computer watches were. I've only seen the ones my boyfriend wore at his dive school which were a lot more clunky (and ugly) and definitely couldn't be worn just as an everyday watch, which you definitely could with this sleek Suunto DX Titanium style.

I love how, as a watch, it has an understated, cool 80s throwback look, thoroughly disguising all the clever stuff this wrist computer, protected by a sapphire crystal glass screen, can do. Described as 'the ultimate tool for open circuit and rebreather divers', it allows you to plan dive profiles, gases and back up plans, and features Suunto Fused™ RGBM, a 3D compass with optional wireless air integration. Pretty impressive for such a simple exterior, right?

I discovered Suunto also do land-sport watches with all manner of James Bond style capabilities hidden beneath their bright, streamlined quartz casings. The latest model is the Suunto Ambit3 Sport GPS watch (pictured, above left) with a crazy number of features for loads of different sports, including running, swimming, cycling and multi-sport training. It's the brand's first Bluetooth Smart compatible watch and can be linked to a free smartphone app so you can track your progress, upload exercises and monitor your heart rate as well as navigating your route via the GPS and 3D compass. There really is too much to this to go into now, so have a look here to get the full run down.

If you've worn yourself out from being sporty, it's unlikely you'd need this but for anyone who has trouble sleeping, this is definitely worth a go. I've had sleep problems from an early age and am still a fairly chronic insomniac - at least I no longer sleep standing up with my eyes open though (I was a freaky kid) - so I was keen to give this new app, The Train Trip: to Sleep by wellbeing guru and trained clinical hypnotherapist, Terrence the Teacher, a go.

The app comprises 7 sessions to be repeated 3 times as part of a 3 week journey. Four of these sessions focus on relaxation with 'deep trance', which can naturally progress to deep sleep; Two sessions on exercises that will help to silence a busy mind, and a final session teaching self-hypnosis to empower the user for long term sleep success. Additionally, the app also includes 'Toot's Top Tips' - 21 practical deep sleep tips.

I've never tried hypnotherapy before so had no idea what it would be like. Designed to help you 'reconnect with your natural ability to sleep' by using positive suggestion and neuro-linguistic techniques, I just hoped it wasn't going to involve waking up next to a half eaten onion.

Terrence advises that, on average, habits, such as 'not' sleeping, take 21 days to form so his 3 week guide to combating deep rooted issues with sleep patterns should help you resolve your insomnia in a relatively short space of time.

Whilst I only managed to follow it for four nights due to poor scheduling on my part (which isn't a very good trial, I know), it was definitely a worthwhile experience. My usual sleep routine involves going to bed at a reasonable hour, watching some mind numbing Real Housewives style TV or cartoons (Family Guy, American Dad, all that kind of thing) so that I wind down before trying to sleep at around 1-2am. I usually finally get to sleep around 3am on a good night, 5am on a bad one - and this is why I am not a morning person. Anyway...

Night 1: Around 1am I put my headphones on so as not to disturb my sleeping boyf, and listened to the first part, as instructed. I found the guy's voice, combined with the eerie train noises and grey screen graphics, so creepy I was honestly scared to go to sleep because I thought I'd have nightmares but - and I swear this is exactly what happened - just as I was giggling about how that was too absurd to be right and listening intently for something a bit less disturbing, I must have fallen asleep because I don't remember a thing after that point. Literally, nothing. I fell into a deep sleep and woke around six hours later still wearing my headphones.

Despite the incredible result of Night 1 and unusual amount of unbroken sleep I got, I just assumed I must have been super tired and wasn't really convinced it had anything to do with the app. Then, Night 2 - same thing. Creeped out... bit more creeped out... sound asleep. I did wake up about an hour later because my headphones were uncomfortable but I snoozily removed them and went straight back to sleep, no bother, no nightmares and felt well rested the next day.

By now, after two concurrent nights of good quality sleep, you'd think I'd be all over this app, but Night 3 was where my extreme insomnia brain kicked in and my willpower didn't. Night 3 I realised I could have the app running in the background as I did other things on my phone so Night 3 I listened, as usual, but instead of concentrating fully, I was checking my email at the same time. Then on Night 4 I was 'listening' (I wasn't really) but was also playing Candy Crush Saga. On Nights 3 and 4 I didn't get to sleep until after 3am and was back to my previous ways.

Judging by the reviews left at the App Store, people who can stick with this app are delighted with the results. I plan to give The Train Trip: to Sleep, part of a series of apps dealing with various topics including weight loss, another go and give it my full attention this time as I can clearly recall how amazingly I slept that first night I tried it. If you're having trouble sleeping and are willing to put in the few minutes of undivided attention it requires (this must sound so pathetic to non-insomniacs who have slightly better control over their racing brains), I say DO IT. And sweet dreams. I'd love to hear how you get on - if you try it, do leave a comment below or tweet me @FightForYrWrite with your results.

The Train Trip: to Sleep is available to download from The App Store and costs £5.49.]]>Haircare Heroestag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2014:/theblog//3.55622092014-07-08T19:00:00-04:002014-09-07T05:59:06-04:00Sarah McGivenhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-mcgiven/after trying to use one of these dreadful little bars to treat a scalp condition I suffer from.

What it left me with was hair that smelled like a stable and was so broken, dry and brittle that it tangled itself up, as if it was trying to get away from me, into a giant candyfloss-style dread. It took a WEEK of gentle Tangle-Teezing, washing and dousing in argan oil, coconut oil etc, to get it to the point where I could cut the unsalvageable pieces out without having to go full on 'Britney in 2007'.

So, after that utter disaster and the semi-miraculous recovery via a scalp treatment at the Belgravia Centre (this is usually reserved for people undergoing hair loss treatment courses but I was treated to one as part of a training programme), all things hair-related - including what to cover it or push it back with when you just can't deal - have been on my mind this week. I've tried loads of new hair products in the past few months and these are the cream for your crop.

Julien Farel, the mane master of Madison Avenue is upscaling to a new role as hair Prince of Park Avenue with a new salon and spa in the Loews Regency Hotel. And whilst New York may be a little far to go for a cut and colour from the man who's trimmed and tended everyone from impeccably groomed Manhattanites like Ivanka Trump, to Kate Moss, Olivia Palermo, Adrien Brody and Wimbledon winner, Novak Djokovic, the goodness that is his anti-aging Restore haircare range is now available from Selfridges.

Marketed as 'anti-aging haircare', I thought this stuff might be pretty good given its pedigree, but wasn't really expecting much more than a decent shampoo and conditioner. I was given a three step programme to follow for dry/damaged hair (my hair was both dry and damaged from the aforementioned incident and constant colouring) - this comprised a Vitamin Restore shampoo which should be used every time, then a Vitamin Restore conditioner and a Vitamin Restore treatment which should be alternated.

First up, it all smells INCREDIBLE. It's beautifully zesty and has the scent of an actual orange - not chemical orange but actual orange. Delicately zingy - it practically had me from there. I used the shampoo and it lathered really well, didn't need loads to clean my bust-length hair and didn't leave my hair dry or 'sticky' (fellow bleach blondes will know what I mean by that...). A very decent and wonderfully scented shampoo, but, on its own, nothing revolutionary. It's when you use it in conjunction with the other parts of the haircare programme, particularly the scalp treatment which is super easy to apply, quick to work and is basically like a nourishing moisturiser for your head, that the magic happens. As Farel says, "Grass does not grow in sand. Likewise, hair cannot grow in a dry or damaged scalp. The only products that actually work are those that reach the follicle, scalp and hair shaft."

After using it my hair feels the same as my skin does after using my Clarisonic - thoroughly clean, fresh and somehow healthier. Stock up while you can at Selfridges - I went to bolster my supplies at selfridges.com the other day and noticed the previously fully stocked website was down to just two Julien Farel products so I'd imagine word is spreading fast.

Julien Farel Anti-Aging Haircare, from £16.95 exclusively available from Selfridges and Selfridges.com in the UK

Catwalk by TIGI Oatmeal & Honey Haircare Range

This was what all my friends' hair smelled of in the 90s (apart from Carly who was going through her dreadlocks phase). As we all experimented with dodgy DIY colours - and then bleached them back out again - we would buy the massive hairdresser sized bottles of the TIGI Catwalk Oatmeal & Honey products, as they were the most affordable products we could find that actually worked in rescuing such carelessly damaged locks.

And, OH the smell. As you may have gathered, I'm a sucker for products that smell good. This fragrance is so delicious and wholesome it's like a hug for your hair. The pure, milk and honey scent is as calming for the senses as the conditioning treatment is for your hair. It may have swanky new packaging but the product is an absolute classic and, as far as I can tell, hasn't changed a bit.

One thing that is different right now is that there's the coolest freebie EVER available with purchases of two or more TIGI Catwalk products from any TIGI salon. It's the pom pom hair accessory pictured above that was designed especially by Mara Hoffman. Isn't it adorable?! Find your nearest stockist at www.catwalkbytigi.com

Some of my favourite haircare and temporary colour products:1 & 4 Kevin Murphy Colour Bug hair chalks - wipe on, wash out temporary hair colour (there are loads to choose from) or try the rose gold one for a beautiful shimmer, £14 each from Beauty Mart at thisisbeautymart.com; 2 Bleach London Reincarnation Mask, £6, 3 Washing Out Liquid to speed up fading if your DIY colour doesn't quite work out, £6, from Bleach London or Boots; 5 The essential, ever-reliable Batiste dry shampoo is not just for those days when you don't have time for a wash and blow dry, it's great for adding volume to newly washed hair too - if it's good enough for Karl Lagerfeld etc etc (he uses the Klorane one but personally I find it smells funny...); 6 & 7 Bleach London hair crayons - semi-permanent colour in pen form for easy application streaks and touch ups, £4 each, from Bleach London or Boots.com.

So that's why I'm writing about all the indigo it-pieces I have my eyes on right now. From high end to high street, there are some great choices so step outside your jeans comfort zone and try some other denim styles. A shirt dress, these skate shoes and super hot denim heels are topping my wish list this weekend.

1 Miss Selfridge, denim romper, £30 from www.missselfridge.com; 2 Oliver Bonas, floral denim shorts, £35 from www.oliverbonas.com; 3 Pinko, Casablanca denim shorts, reduced to £93 from www.harrods.com; 4 Claire's, large denim hair bow, £4.50 from www.claires.co.uk; 5 Amber floral denim shorts, £100, and 6 Hendrix shorts, £250, both by Hudson Jeans, exclusively from Harrods; 7 3.1 Philip Lim, Cartoon print mini skirt, £155 (soon to go on sale) from www.harrods.com]]>Father's Day Gift Guidetag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2014:/theblog//3.54704292014-06-09T19:00:00-04:002014-08-09T05:59:05-04:00Sarah McGivenhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-mcgiven/
If giving presents isn't your thing, you could take your Dad out for a drink or make him dinner, spend time with him by taking him out to the cinema or round of golf - just giving up that extra bit of your time will hopefully make for some great memories for both of you.

My brothers and I always club together to get our dad one great present rather than three smaller ones but, however you split it, if you want to avoid the usual socks or Amazon vouchers, here's a few suggestions to help you along.

And don't forget the handmade card - no matter how old or art-intolerant you are, the sentiment and effort will be much appreciated.

Byron Bay-based brand which fuses fashion and function to produce beach party-worthy wet fashion pieces for their muse, the 'modern day surf diva'. Muther of All Things' cool collections boast a fantastic use of print, sporty cuts and fabrics, plus some unique, wearable styles like the wetsuit jacket pictured above.

View the collection at mutherofallthings.com and they'll be available at Urban Outfitters in the UK from this Summer

Bordelle

Best known for their stunning, 'luxury S&M' lingerie, as worn by some of the sexiest women in the world, from Beyoncé to Madonna, British bodywear brand Bordelle has branched out into swimwear. By applying their iconic bondage detailing - which includes 18k gold rings - to a range of sleek, stretch jersey pool pieces, Bordelle have created a cinematic swim collection that's pure Bond Girl gritty glamour.

Yup, these fashion forward, Helmut Newton-esque designs really are from British High Street favourite, M&S. These striking monochrome onepieces are my personal favourites from their affordable new season swimwear collection but if you prefer more of a pin up style, be sure to check out their range of bikinis too - there's an adorable blue gingham number that's just so Marilyn.

Royal Warrant holders, Rigby & Peller - whose matriarch June Kenton, Corsetiere to H.M. Queen Elizabeth II, took over from the founders, Bertha Rigby and Gita Peller in 1982 - is currently celebrating its 75th anniversary. Understandably renown for its high-end off the peg and bespoke, made-to-measure lingerie, their swimwear is equally as attention-worthy, particularly from those who prefer a more structured, supportive swimming costume.